1. Phone up BT on 150 and tell them you have been receiving nuisance phone calls and you wish to be issued with a new ex-directory phone number. You are allowed to do this once without fee. Tell them also to give the line "PERMANENTLY WITHHELD" Caller ID, so that when you make a call nobody can see your number.

2. When you get your new number only give it out to people you trust such as family and friends.

3. Avoid giving your phone number out to companies even if they ask for it - it could end up reaching the credit reference agencies. Never give your phone number in surveys or competitions.

4. Do not even give your new number to your neighbours. It has been know for debt recovery agencies to contact your neighbours to get your phone number.

6. If you must give a number to a company and you have a mobile phone that you don't use very often, say in your car, give them that. That way they can leave a voicemail that you can check it periodically if the company genuinely needs to contact you. If you start getting debt related calls, change the sim card.